HomeMy WebLinkAbout02252019 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 621
CALL TO ORDER
The February 25, 2019 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Squires presiding and
Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley
Sharyl Seese John Osenga
Kelley Lane
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jeff Bridges, Interim City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Will Earnhart, City Attorney
Absent—Horn
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Cara Maxwell moved to Seward in October,2018 and was being considered for appointment
to the Historic Preservation Commission because she loved Seward and wanted to get involved.
Maxwell was also the swim coach for the Tsunami Swim Team, and they would be having a
fundraiser for the team at Sweet Darlings tomorrow.
Tim McDonald wanted to talk about the estuary at the head of Resurrection Bay;he thought
it was an underutilized tourism attraction. He recently counted 22 trumpeter swans in that area and
wanted to see a trail built across that area for people to be able to walk. McDonald also wished it
would become unlawful for duck hunting inside city limits.
Bruce Jaffa was speaking as a resident of Moose Pass who used the Seward airport.He was
concerned that the current plans involved reducing the current 4,200 foot runway down to 3,300 feet.
He had communicated with Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Don Young his concerns,and
he thought they were receptive to understanding the issue. Jaffa intended to continue to push this
issue, and wanted this to become an issue for Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) to
address as well.When taken in its entirety,Jaffa thought Seward would not be well served by settling
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February 25,2019 Volume 40, Page 622
for a shortened runway; he encouraged the city to turn down funding from the Department of
Transportation and wait until there was an agreement to have a longer runway.
Craig Ambrosiani had been a Planning&Zoning Commissioner for years,and he wished to
continue his service. He enjoyed working on the city's Comprehensive Plan, addressing housing
issues, and working in cooperation with the flood board. Ambrosiani appreciated the challenge of
balancing the city's economic growth with maintaining a quality of life.
Melody Jordan wanted to speak in favor of PERA because she thought the city employees
needed the support of a third party. As the former plant manager at Icicle Seafoods for 35 years
where she managed over 300 employees,she had success using a third party to settle issues.Jordan
said,in her experience,when employees were treated fairly and felt they had a voice,and issues were
handled by a third party,things worked well. She said there had been many people who spoke before
this body about employment issues; she felt there should be accountability on both sides. While in
her role at Icicle,Jordan said she challenged herself to consider if she had done everything she could
to help her employees succeed, and she sometimes fell short. She added that Icicle conducted a
confidential survey every few years to hear from the employees; she encouraged the city to adopt a
similar technique.
Ristine Casagranda wished to see the city attorney contract to go out for RFP.The Seward
high school boys basketball team was doing a phenomenal job this season;regions would be held in
two weeks in Seward.
Michelle Cobble had applied to the Historic Preservation Commission; she had lived in 111
Seward for the last four years, loved the community,and wanted to keep history alive in Seward.
Darryl Schaefermeyer supported Resolution 2019-022 for the contract with
YourCleanEnergy for the heat loop project for City Hall,the library, annex,and fire hall.
Gary Seese was interested in being reappointed to the Planning&Zoning Commission.
Lynda Paquette reported that at the last Seward Civic Engagement meeting,there was a
discussion about the borough's relationship with the city, and on March 7, 2019 the next Seward
Civic Engagement would discuss code of ethics.Paquette invited everyone to send her suggestions
for future topics. As a board member of PACAB, she was concerned about the shortened runway
issue,as well.
Anthony Baclaan wished Resolution 2019-018 amending the City Council Rules of
Procedures would include a fourth location for public notice to include the library. He admonished
council to listen to the citizens and have the city attorney firm to go out for RFP. He supported
having a forensic audit,and would like to see it expanded to include multiple departments.
Tim McDonald supported having a forensic audit because he did not trust the city
government.
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 623
Melody Jordan said the KPB school district would be at the school tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.,
the same time as the council work session.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
McClure removed her name from the Juneau travel report.
McClure amended the joint work session topic with PACAB to be for YourCleanEnergy to present
results of the concept design and evaluation of the Lowell Creek Hydroelectric Project.
At the request of Bridges, McClure removed the executive session to consider applications for the
permanent City Manager position from the agenda.
Lane removed Resolutions 2019-017, 2019-018, and 2019-022 from the consent agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approval of the February 11, 2019 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Appoint Michelle Cobble and Cara Maxwell to the Historic Preservation Commission with
terms to expire May, 2021.
Non-objection to the following liquor license renewals: Oaken Keg #2728 license #4334,
Chattermark license#5040, and Ray's Waterfront license#2790.
Appoint Jennifer Carr,Quentin Carr,Kristi Larson,Johanna Kinney, Dorothy Osenga,and
Susie Urbach to the Canvass Board for the March 19, 2019 Special Municipal Election.
Appoint Mark Kansteiner, Iris Darling,Patty Linville, Sue Faust,and Michael Mahmood to
the Election Board for the March 19, 2019 Special Municipal Election.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards—None
Chamber of Commerce Report.Cindy Clock stated the Mount Marathon Race registration
would open on March 1,2019.Clock thanked McClure for serving on the organizing committee for
the race for many years.
There would be a Marathon Miners wrestling tournament at the cruise ship terminal this
weekend.The high school regional basketball tournament would be held in Seward from March 7-9,
2019;there would be 14 teams coming to Seward.The next Winter Weekend event to promote local
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 624
business would be March 16-17, 2019 and the theme would be "Get lucky in Seward." The last
Winter Weekend would be April 13-14, 2019, right before Easter.
Regarding the agenda item to schedule a work session with the chamber,Clock requested this
be scheduled in the fall when the chamber is prepared to roll out its marketing plan for 2020.
City Manager Report. Jeff Bridges reported the following purchase orders over $5,000
have been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: None.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) for a wage and position classification study was on the
street. Regarding the permanent city manager hiring process,the GovHR consultant has requested to
meet with council on March 9,2019 to review candidates;on March 8,2019 the firm would furnish
a list of 6-10 candidates for council's consideration at the work session.
Bridges reported on the AML Conference he attended in Juneau. The meetings went well,
and included the airport with the DOT,Spring Creek Correctional Center,and the U.S. Coast Guard
for uplands improvements for the fast response vessel.
In response to Lane, Bridges said the field engineer position was being considered to be
added to the IBEW union.
In response to Towsley, Bridges said the executive assistant position in the Electric
Department had undergone an extensive job description review, and some discussion about which
union the position should be included in, and those issues had contributed to the delay in the job
posting.
Lane expressed concerns about having city manager candidate discussions in executive
session; she believed all candidate information should be public.
Council scheduled a work session on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. to review
candidates for the permanent city manager position.
Bridges said he would notify the recruiter that all candidate information for the city manager
position would be public record.
In response to Lane, Bridges said Mt. Haven had lifted the moratorium on taking in new
residents. Seese was concerned with the deteriorating condition of the sign at Mt. Haven.
Towsley relayed citizen concerns about local crimes, break-ins, and drug use.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Travel Report for AML Conference in Juneau from Mayor Squires and-Viae-Mayer
MeC-luf-e.
Seward Prevention Coalition Presentation.
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 625
Election Stakeholders Group Meeting Update from Vice Mayor McClure.
Seward Community Health Center Coordinating Committee Update from Council
Liaison Seese.
PUBLIC HEARINGS —None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Items Postponed from Previous Agenda
Discuss standing work sessions to review city council agenda packets. (Lane)
Lane was having difficulty attending the Friday standing work sessions due to scheduling
conflicts, and invited council feedback. McClure suggested cancelling the standing work sessions.
Towsley thought the work sessions were useful. Seese thought she was getting a lot out of the work
sessions, but would favor cancelling them. Osenga thought the work sessions were beneficial, but
with summer approaching,his work schedule would not always allow him to attend.Squires thought
the work sessions were beneficial,and enabled council members to ask questions of administration
that could then be answered at the Monday council meeting.
Council decided to maintain the status quo for the time being and make no change to the standing
work session schedule.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2019-017, Authorizing The City Manager To Award A Three-Year Franchise
Agreement Extension To Alaska Waste — Kenai Peninsula LLC For The Collection And
Disposal Of Garbage, Rubbish And Waste.
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-017
Assistant City Manager Brennan Hickok said Alaska Waste was counting on a three-year
extension,and if this extension was not approved,the alternative was to have a vote of the people at
the October 1, 2019 election.
Motion to Postpone (Lane/) Postpone Resolution 2019-017 to March 11,
2019.
Motion died for lack of second.
In response to Seese,Finance Director Kris Erchinger confirmed that the city received 3%
of revenue as a franchise fee.
In response to Towsley, Bridges said he would research whether a resident could have their
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 626
garbage service shut off in connection with their electric being shut off.
Lane wondered what the vacation policy was, and how to get bear resistant cans.
Motion Passed Yes: Towsley, Seese, Osenga, McClure,
Squires
No: Lane
Resolution 2019-018, Amending The City Council Rules Of Procedures.
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-018
City Clerk Brenda Ballou said this resolution was the last piece of the process to update the
City Council Rules of Procedures(CCROP),based on council's input from the December 10,2018
work session.The result of this resolution would align the CCROP with the Charter and Seward City
Code.
In response to Seese, Ballou said she would bring back an ordinance in the future to address
the deadline for delivering the agenda packet to council.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council recessed at 9:00 p.m.
Council resumed at 9:08 p.m.
Resolution 2019-019, Authorizing The Interim City Manager For The Purchase Of A 2019
Ford 3/4 Ton 4x4 Truck From Kendall Ford In The Amount Of$31,771 To Replace A 2005
Ford 4x4 Truck #165 Utilizing The State Of Alaska Procurement Contract, And Waiving
Competitive Procurement Procedures, And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2019-019
Bridges said it had been many years since public works had a new vehicle. In response to
Lane, Bridges said there had been only one other vehicle purchase in 2019. In response to Lane,
Bridges said vehicle replacements were contemplated during the budget process,and Squires added
that vehicles were scheduled in accordance with the Bird Study.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2019-020,Authorizing The Interim City Manager To Purchase A 2019 Chevrolet
1/2 Ton 4x4 Truck From Alaska Sales And Service In The Amount Of$29,806 To Replace A
2004 Dodge 3/4 Ton 4x4 Truck#121 Utilizing The State Of Alaska Procurement Contract,And
Waiving Competitive Procurement Procedures, And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-020
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40,Page 627
111 Bridges said the vehicle being replaced was well past its useful life. In response to Lane,
Hickok stated the new vehicles would arrive in approximately 90 days.
Motion to Amend (Squires/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2019-020 in the title by
adding the words, "...And Allowing The
Amount Of S 1,435 For Safety Lighting And
Equipment" before "And Appropriating
Funds."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2019-021,Amending The 2019 Budget To Reflect Mid-Cycle Budget Adjustments,
And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approve Resolution 2019-021
Bridges said this resolution was a result of the council work session where all the items had
been discussed; this would result in a net gain of fund balance of$29,000.
Lane was concerned with the elimination of one custodial position, and wished instead to
have two other positions eliminated: SPRD Assistant and Teen Rec Room Coordinator.
Bridges said the position that was being eliminated was being put towards reinstating a
previously-eliminated position in Public Works,at council's direction.McClure concurred that this
resolution was in keeping with the direction given at the work session.
In response to Seese, Bridges said the $15,000 increase in hotel/motel bed tax was not
anticipatory of new lodging businesses, but was an organic increase.
Motion Passed Yes: Towsley, McClure, Osenga, Seese,
Squires
No: Lane
Resolution 2019-022, Determining It Is In The Public's Best Interest To Waive The
Competitive Bid Process Requirements And Approving A Sole Source Contract With
YourCleanEnergy LLC For Design And Engineering Services For A Ground Source Heat
Pump District Heat System To Service Four Municipal Buildings In An Amount Not To
Exceed$138,000,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2019-022
Hickok said the city had received a grant through the Alaska Energy Authority(AEA) for
$725,000.Andy Baker from YourCleanEnergy had conducted an economic evaluation study for the
viability of installing a heat loop system for the library, annex building, City Hall, and the fire
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 628
station.
In response to Lane, Hickok said the next step would be building monitoring; this would
generate a data system which could be used as a comparison post new system installation. The
project would be completed by year end 2019.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business
Vote and appoint three applicants for the Planning&Zoning Commission with terms to expire
February,2022: Tom Swann, Craig Ambrosiani, Gary Seese, and Skip Reierson.
City Clerk Brenda Ballou passed out Ballot #1 containing the names of the 4 applicants, and
instructed council to vote for no more than 3 names.
The results of the first vote were:
Swann 4
Ambrosiani 4
Seese 6
Reierson 3
Council appointed Tom Swann, Craig Ambrosiani, and Gary Seese to serve on the Planning &
Zoning Commission with terms to expire February, 2022.
Regarding a forensic audit:
• Direct Administration to complete an RFP and/or other necessary processes to initiate a
timely and full scope forensic audit of City of Seward financial records and practices.
(Lane)
• Discuss scheduling a forensic audit. (Towsley)
• Discuss scheduling a forensic audit. (Seese)Draft resolution submitted.
Lane wished to have a forensic audit performed.
Towsley had been hearing from constituents who wished to have a forensic audit performed.
Seese thought this was necessary to get the town put back together.
McClure wondered what the cost would be. McClure said, contrary to the other council
members, she had been hearing from constituents that council should not pursue this.
Bridges said he would need a more definitive scope of what this audit would entail before he
could obtain pricing. He said he heard forensic audit, which meant a financial audit; but he also
heard other elements like personnel issues or operating issues. Bridges suggested that rather than
pursue a forensic audit, council could have a meeting with the city's auditors, BDO, about the
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 629
upcoming audit.This would enable council to learn what BDO's process was,and to make requests
for specific items.
Motion (Lane/) Direct administration to create a Request for
Proposals to conduct a forensic audit.
Motion died for lack of a second.
Council scheduled a work session with BDO on April 1, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Regarding an Interim City Manager:
• Discuss the development,implementation and execution of a plan to hire an interim city
manager. (Towsley)
• Planning and implementing of crucial leadership during city manager transition
period. (Lane)
• Discuss the plan for hiring an interim city manager. (Seese)
In response to McClure,Squires said the city had four people who were official signers:the
city manager, assistant city manager,finance director, and city clerk.
Council directed the city manager to review the applicant list from the last interim city manager
hiring process to see who might be available and interested,as well as any internal candidates he may
recommend.
Discuss sending a delegate to the 53rd Yeosu Turtle Ship Festival in Yeosu, South Korea.
Bridges offered to go as the city's representative.
Squires said, although he would not be interested himself,he would like to see one or two
council members go. He said former mayor Willard Dunham had considered the relationship
between Seward and Yeosu to be a valuable one.
By unanimous consent,council postponed this discussion to March 11,2019 in order to review the
travel budget.
Schedule joint work session with the Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) for
YourCleanEnergy to present results of the concept design and evaluation of the Lowell Creek
Hydro Project.
Hickok said Andy Baker would be in Seward on March 6, 2019 to present to PACAB.
Council scheduled a joint work session with PACAB on March 6, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Council suspended the rules to speak with Port& Commerce Advisory Board Chair Christy
Terry.
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 630
Christy Terry said PACAB would like to have council join them for the presentation on
March 6, 2019.
Council went back on the rules.
Schedule a work session to create process for selling the utility.
Bridges said he didn't know if council would eventually wish to sell the electric utility,but if
they did, there was no process in place for taking that action.
Towsley was confused about how this came about, and was also concerned that the public
have ample opportunity to participate in this.
By unanimous consent, council postponed this item until the permanent city manager was in place.
Schedule work session in April with Providence.
Bridges said he understood that council had a desire to meet with Providence to review the
relationship and the financials, including the 1% contribution and the city's obligations.
Bridges would coordinate with Providence for a date for mid-April and bring that back to
council.
Schedule a work session on chamber funding,allocation of monies,chamber priorities.(Lane)
Lane requested to postpone this item to March 11, 2019 with no objection from council.
Discussion and direction to city administration regarding housing development within the
original Seward townsite, including selling city lots within the R1 zoning district. (Lane)
Lane said there were four lots on First Avenue that had been in city ownership for several
years,and she wondered what could be done to get those properties sold so they could be developed.
Towsley shared an idea she had for council consideration to potentially have a house owned
by the city for the city manager to use, given that housing was an issue in Seward and that the city
manager was required to live inside city limits; this could be an incentive for attracting a city
manager, she believed.
Bridges would bring updated information back to council on the four lots on First Avenue.
Reallocation of resources based on attendance at the Teen Rec Room with brainstorming
opportunity for how this facility & program could better serve the community. (Lane)
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40,Page 631
Lane was concerned with the low attendance at the Teen Rec Room,and the staffing issues
there. She requested to postpone this item to March 11,2019 with no objection from council.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
On-going City Project and Goal List.
December, 2018 Financial Reports for the City of Seward and Providence Seward Medical and Care
Center.
How Iceland Got Teens To Say No To Drugs (article).
COUNCIL COMMENTS
McClure said the National Ocean Sciences Bowl last weekend was wonderful;the Ketchikan
Sabretooths won.She was pleased that the Historic Preservation Commission was now full,and she
encouraged them to also get involved with the Resurrection Bay Historical Society(RBHS);the next
meeting for RBHS would be Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Towsley thanked everyone for speaking tonight,and for all the applicants for the boards and
commissions.She attended the Alaska SeaLife Center Marine Gala,and had enjoyed the experience
and was appreciative for going. Tomorrow from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Sweet Darlings there was a
fundraiser for the Tsunami Swim Club. Towsley reminded everyone about the work session
tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. for PERA.
Osenga congratulated everyone on their appointments,and thanked the public for speaking.
Seese enjoyed the Alaska SeaLife Center Gala and appreciated being invited.She expressed
condolences to the Lewis family on the loss of their son, Ryan.
Lane was thankful for attending the Alaska SeaLife Center Gala. She met with the Kenai
Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD) two weeks ago telephonically; the next
KPEDD meeting would be in April. She also expressed condolences to the Lewis family.
Squires offered condolences to the Lewis family.
Motion (Seese/Towsley) Extend the adjournment time for tonight's
City Council meeting to 12:00 a.m.
Motion Passed Unanimous
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Becky Dunn said borough school district budget meeting location would be at the high
school tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.rather than at the library. She said Alaska Waste allowed residents to
suspend service while on vacation; people just needed to contact Alaska Waste directly. Dunn
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February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 632
echoed Bruce Jaffa's comments about the airport;during medical emergencies,Dunn believed that
helicopter flights were more expensive than airplanes.
Bruce Jaffa thanked council for their time and service.Regarding a forensic audit,whether
looked for good or bad,one would find what they were looking for.Jaffa thought there was potential
for increased local taxes to cover the school budget deficits. Regarding the airport,he thought there
was more to the issue than just an FAA formula to determine what Seward needed for runways.
Christiana Smith and her son,TJ,wanted to address the Teen Rec Room(TRR).Her family
utilized the TRR and TYC,and her son cultivated friendships there. She thought the reasons for the
low attendance should be looked at, and having consistent staffing was important for teenagers.
Smith suggested the city involve the participating students in the solution, particularly the Teen
Youth Council.
Carol Griswold thanked council for their service.She appreciated council's efforts towards
clarity and transparency. Griswold was concerned about the airport runway issue, specifically the
issue of extending the runway into wetlands and estuary lands. She appreciated the quiet skies in
Seward,and would like to see a marketing study done to justify increasing airport traffic.She urged
council to examine the quality of life priorities for Seward before making big economic development
decisions.
Jen Leahy did not know anything about forensic audits, but understood that an
organizational development consultant might be able to help address the city's concerns. She was
concerned about the governor's budget proposal, and thought it would impact every citizen in the
Seward community.She expressed condolences to the Lewis family and said the loss of Ryan Lewis
was a big loss for the entire community.
Kyle Walker wished council would minimize conversations and discussions and relate them
only to a motion on the floor,and generally remain more focused.
Wolf Kurtz was the chair for the Historic Preservation Commission, and he welcomed
Michelle Cobble and Cara Maxwell to the commission.
Lynda Paquette encouraged council to consider that, for the permanent city manager hire,
applicants may not wish their current employer to know they were applying for the job in Seward.
Regarding the standing Friday work sessions, Paquette recalled that one year ago,it appeared that
certain members of council were being brought up to speed about issues privately,and that was what
citizens had been upset about;now the Friday work sessions allowed everyone to partake.Regarding
the state budget,Peter Micciche and Ben Carpenter were the representatives for Seward.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Towsley thanked Lynda Paquette for posting the council meetings online. She agreed that
voting on items was a good practice.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
February 25, 2019 Volume 40, Page 633
Lane appreciated Lynda Paquette's concerns about city manager applications, but she felt
they were public documents. She thanked Christiana Smith for speaking tonight.
Squires said,in response to Carol Griswold's concerns,that a longer airport would enable the
community to respond more effectively to emergencies. As well,the U.S. Coast Guard may also be
able to use a longer runway.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Go into executive session to evaluate the city
attorney.
Motion Passed Unanimous
City Attorneys Will Earnhart and Holly Wells were invited to remain.
Council went into executive session at 11:25 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 11:59 p.m.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:59 p.m.
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